Thanksgiving 2009 Cookathon -- "When it Rains, It Pours"

Ahem, everyone,I am back with a post after a double-day Cookathon for Thanksgiving day.I hope everyone who celebrated Thanksgiving had a nice time bingeing/boozing with family and friends. This year Thanksgiving was at my home with kith and kin. When I had agreed to do this, I hadn't realized what a trying chore it would be.As usual I...

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Happy Thanksgiving/Happy Holidays 2009

I wish all my fellow bloggers/friends a "Happy Thanksgiving". The recipe for this Cheese-N-Veggie Gobbler sandwich is from one of these magazines -- FamilyFun Or Parenting, October/November edition. Sorry, didn't pay attention to the month/name of these magazines. You see I came across this while I was in the Pediatric lounge, pensively...

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South Indian Mini Meals(Version 1)

Who doesn't love variety on their plate? I am a major fan of mini meals that certainly pleases the eye and other senses. Mini meals are a rare indulgence in the house due to the amount of work involved. Mini items they may be..but they require major work..lol. Plate for one, please: Mini Idlis with Homemade Milagai Podi/Chutney Powder(Click...

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Puffy Poori/Puri N Purple Potato Sides

My only request before you are put-off by the purple potato -- Give it a try. I don't know if purple potatoes are available everywhere but they come in little netted packages in the gourmet-foods section of the supermarket. What prompted me to try this potatoes? Curiosity, why else? Now I am hooked. These mildly sweet bodied potatoes look...

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Basics: Chutney Powder (Idli Podi/Kaara Podi/Mailagai Podi)

Who wouldn't love Idli Podi? Its the most easiest to prepare and yummiest accompaniment for hot steaming Idlis(Steamed Rice Batter). I love love Podi with Idli, Dosai and even mix it with rice, just like the Paruppu Podi..Here is an easy way to make it and enjoy it right from your kitchen. You need a powerful mixer to grind the pulses. Puny...

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Mixed Veggie Pilaf

Pilaf/Pulao/Plav is a versatile dish that can take any form and perform.Its meaty version may please meat-lovers but its vegetarian version is sure to please all alike. I am partial to the vegetarian version with plenty of colorful vegetables..especially multi-colored peppers, peas, carrot and beans. So here is my version of this kitchen...

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TwilightSagaFood: 'New Moon' Cheesy Crescents

As I promised, here is the New Moon Treat some of you were waiting for. For this I had to scratch my brain and finalize on something that resembles a Waxing Crescent Moon(A sliver of a thing seen soon after sunset). These crispy and cheese flavored crescents will make an excellent accompaniment to Tea/Coffee or a replacement for popcorn....

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Root-A-Rama Soup - Rocking with Root Veggies

I am proud of this creation for 3 reasons: Catchy name that I decided to bestow on this soup.  You won't find this combination of root veggie soup anywhere(Yup, I googled it and saw this combo nowhere)  It turned out extremely well for an experiment. I used four root veggies(Root, Tuber-root, Tap-root and blah blah blah) for...

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I Had A Dream

Note: I swear I had this dream in the early hours of this fine Thursday morning that woke me up and had me typing away this post. THIS IS NO FIB. A dream laced with so much vividness, a hint of incredulity, a tinge of weirdness, a lot of imagination,that it woke me up to write this.Again, this is NOT MADE UP and I KID YOU NOT. Ever since I have started blogging,I have been on a blogging-rush 24/7. Even when I am doing something,...

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TwilightSagaFood: Edward Cullen's 'Twilight' FruitNVeggieVamp Drink (No animals were tortured to make this drink)

"Twilight" When You can live forever, what do you live for? Okay, do not laugh. I am a sucker for all vampire novels/movies. Why wouldn't I? The idea of Eternity, Superior Senses and Ravishing Looks certainly appeals to me. Coming to the point, people say that Ms.Meyer's Twilight Series is for young adults. I say its for young-adults and...

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Acknowledging Awards

I was so happy when I got a couple of awards from Priya of Priya's Feast. They were the first award bestowed on my blogging self for my Diwali entries. No doubt I am overjoyed and encouraged to work hard and acquire some more..Since I am a newbie I am still "learning the ropes" of awards and stuff..so, a bit late in claiming them..   Thanks...

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Immunity Boosting Salad - Packed with Vitamin C

Did you know that Flu Season starts to peak during November and continues to peak until April?I didn't know either until I stumbled onto a website that claims it is so. So I will take their word. People who don't care to get the seasonal/swine flu shots should do everything to stay healthy. That means boosting the immune system with Vitamin...

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Brunch Setting For One

There are times when you are in a desperate need of pampering..When you find yourself in such a situation, you should cook something nice.For yourself, that is! This is my go-to menu when I need a bit of TLC, which is more often than not. 3-Course Brunch for One Menu-card: Homemade Muesli with Milk Spinach and Artichoke Frittata Persimmon...

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HomeMade Swiss Muesli - A Swiss Favorite!

What is Muesli? As per the Wiki, Muesli, pronounced Mew-zz-li was developed around 1900 by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital. It is available in the supermarket cereal aisle but it can also be made fresh. Homemade Muesli is so easy to make and the beauty of it is that the ingredients can be altered as...

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Basics: Rustic Stuffed French Toast

French toast is much loved in my family. This would be my first choice for a weekend breakfast or brunch on a lazy day. You will have to excuse the dirty shot of this toast cause I was ravenous by the time I made it and had no patience to do anything besides taking a hasty shot prior to gobbling it up. Ingredients: Wheat Bread - 4 slices Egg...

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Spanish Vegan Paella(Pa-YaY-Yea)

What comes to mind when you think of Spain? Matadors, Flamenco dancers and PAELLA. Paella is a saffron-flavored dish made with rice, meat, seafood and vegetables. I have made many versions of this - with meat, seafood, both meat and seafood and just a vegetarian version. So what makes this a Vegan one? I soaked them Saffron Strands in water...

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Basics: Basic Vegetable Stock

Looking for a healthy, low/no sodium vegetable stock. Stop looking in the supermarket's aisles. This can be made fresh at home with easily available ingredients. Ingredients: Water - 4 cups Red Potato - 1/2 Carrot - 4, quartered lengthwise Celery - 2 stalk, halved Bay Leaf - 1 Pepper Corns - 1 tbsp Red Onion - 1/2 medium Procedure: In...

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FromFamilyNFriends: Chicken in Walnut Gravy

This is from one of my closest friends.She and I have been thick as thieves for almost 15 years. That kind of friendship is hard to come by. She is my confidante, my agony aunt and best friend all rolled in one. When I told her I want to post her Walnut Chicken recipe, she was only too happy to share. This recipe is all about bringing the...

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Wheat,Wheat Bran SweetPotato Mini Muffins

This is a yummylicious, wholesome dessert to have around when hunger-attack strikes..Ages ago, prior to the popularity of blog sites, I had picked the base recipe from one of the google-search sites. I don't remember which one though..I played around with it and substituted wheat+wheat bran instead of all-purpose flour replaced eggs with...

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Two Cheese Veggie Hoagie

Hoagie is nothing but a sandwich made with a long bun. This Hoagie can be done in a snap, probably with whatever you have in the fridge. Ingredients: French or Italian medium-sized bread - 1, cut in half diagonally Red Pepper - 1 European Eggplant - 1/2 (optional) American Cheddar Singles - 4 Lowfat Swiss Cheese - 2 single serving wedges...

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Apple Banana Smoothie With Strawberry Floats

This smoothie is truly refreshing. This is what I make myself after my  morning workouts. Instead of just eating a banana I make this as a reward for work(out) well done. Ingredients: Banana - 1, medium, sliced, 2 slices - for garnish Red Apple - 1/2, cored, peeled and diced Strawberry - 3-4, 3 -fine diced, 1 - garnish Skimmed Milk...

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Chinese Okra(Ridge Gourd) Peel & SweetPea Chutney

A chutney out of a peel? Yes. And tasty too. This is yet another chutney that is a frequent occurrence in the house that is loved by all. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down for the recipe and give it a try. This recipe goes as an entry to Spicy Fiery Chutney Event hosted by Ammu@ Ammaji's. Ingredients: Peel of Chinese Okra - 1 cup...

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Sevai(RiceNoodles) in Yogurt, Grape & Pomegranate Sauce

This is normally made with rice. But now and then I substitute Rice Noodles for rice for a change. BTW, this was suggested to me by my Mil. Ingredients: Rice Noodles - For 2 people Yogurt - 1 cup, beaten using whisk Skimmed Milk - 1/2 cup Cilantro - 1/8 cup, finely chopped Seedless Green Grapes - 1/4 cup, quartered Pomegranate Arils...

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About: The Blog and the Blog Author

Who am I? In a word, a Certified-Foodloving-Flexitarian. But besides that, I was born to a hard working, dedicated, loving couple who eventually moved to the US in late 80s. Since then I have been shuttling back and forth between US and India before moving for good in mid 90s. My childhood and early-teens were in India and late-teens->youth->adult transformation happened in the US which makes me an AGCD(American Grown...

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Baked Eggless Persimmon & Strawberry Pudding: An English Pudding Faker

Persimmon can be an intimidating fruit if someone has consumed it in its pre-ripened state. Once upon a time I had bought this because of its color appeal. I got home and bit into it without a thought. You see, this fruit was completely new to me and I wasn't aware of its astringent properties. Yikes! I couldn't get rid of the foul taste...

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Four Season Chutneys: Pumpkin & Carrot, Peanut, Mint & Cilantro, Tomato Flavors

Living in the North-east has its advantages as they boast all the four seasons to their fullest. That being said, I have to say Fall is my favorite of them all. Why? Because its neither too hot nor too cold plus the leaves are brightly colored and pleasing to the eye. I like that fact that when I take a stroll the crisp breeze makes me brisk....

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Vermicelli Upma With Carrots & String Beans

Just like it is customary to have Pizza on a Friday Night in the US, it was customary to eat Vermicelli Upma once every week as a breakfast or Brunch when I was growing up. I used to create lame excuses to not eat this  when I was a kid simply because it lost its appeal due to its frequency. Haha.. After I started cooking I made it...

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FromFamilyNFriends: Minty Lamb/Mutton Biryani

Want to know what Biryani is, or what the difference between a Pilaf and Biryani is? Click here to see the answers from one of my previous posts. This is a recipe for Minty Mutton(Lamb) Biryani that has been passed on from a dear friend of mine whose version tops my Mutton Biryani List. I mean, no one does it better than her. Everyone has...

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Booo It was Halloween Night -- Boogity Boogity Boo

On Halloween Night, me, my family and friends went to this Jack O'Lantern spook fest called Blaze in upstate NY that people were ooh-ing and aww-ing about. Boy was I glad I went! They had converted about an acre of land into a huge pumpkin patch where 4,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns were arranged into breathtaking...

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